Taqah (Arabic: طاقة) is a wilayat (province) and coastal town of the Dhofar Governorate, in southwestern Oman. It is located at about 17°2′14″N 54°24′13″E / 17.03722°N 54.40361°E. The nature of the Taqah wilayat is diverse, as it is a coastal province with beaches, plains, and mountains. It is also known for the presence of caves, such as the caves of Taqah and the caves of Wadi Darbat. Additionally, Taqah has two inlets, Khawr Taqah and Khawr Rawri, both declared as protected areas within the Alkhawr Coastal Nature Reserves by virtue of Royal Decree No. 49/97. The wilayat also features the springs of Ain Khawr Taqah and Ain Darbat, known for their waterfalls."
Taqah | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 Taqah scene | |
  Taqah Location in Oman | |
| Coordinates: 17°2′14″N 54°24′13″E / 17.03722°N 54.40361°E | |
| Country |  Oman |
| Governorate | Dhofar Governorate |
| Population (2010)[1] | |
• Total | 18,218 |
| Time zone | UTC+4 (+4) |
History
editIn 1908, J.G. Lorimer recorded Rakhyut in his Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf, noting its location as the easternmost village in the Dhufar Proper two miles west of Khor Rori and 20 miles west of Mirbat. He wrote:
A village of about 20 mud huts and one stone building, chiefly inhabited by Ma'ashani Qaras. There are three or four families of Sharifs and a few of Mashaikh; these latter classes act as mediators and go-betweens to the Bedouins, among whom their persons are sacred, and they take charge of the flocks and herds of Bedouins while in the plains.
The mountains here come down close to the sea and make a pleasing background. There are many ancient remains, standing columns, stone sarcophagi, etc. There was formerly a good harbour here, but it has now become silted up. This, with a little outlay, could be re-opened.[2]
Places of interest
edit- Approx. 2 km after the western entrance to the town there is a mosque named Shaikh Al-Afeef (Arabic: الشيخ العفيف). In its cemetery Mazoon bint Ahmad Al Mashani, the mother of Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, is buried. Under identical marble gravestones an uncle and a grandfather of the Sultans are buried.[3]
- Taqah and its surrounding areas offer natural attractions, such as beautiful beaches and coastal scenery.
- Tourists often visit historical sites like Taqah Castle to learn about the region's history and architecture.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Sultanate of Oman, Ministry of National Economy: Statistical Year Book, Thirty-Ninth Issue - November 2011, section 2-8, p. 12; (data of census of population, 2010)
- ^ "'Gazetteer of Arabia Vol. I' [544] (575/1050)". Qatar Digital Library. Retrieved 26 November 2019. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Cf. Plekhanov, Sergey: A Reformer on the Thrones: Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, London: Trident press, 2004, p. 279.
External links
edit
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